The Equinox (Volume I, Number III)

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING impressions, but remains as an undercurrent. After several days of this desultory Mahasatipatthana, he turned his mind once again to the Great Work and decided upon a fortnight’s strict magical retirement. Though his retirement culminated in no definite state of illumination, it is most interesting from a scientific point of view, as it has been very carefully kept and the “breaks” that occurred in the meditations have been most minutely classified. June 22nd. 10.20 p.m. Mahasatipatthana for half an hour. (1) Breathing gets deeper, rather sleepier. (I am tired.) (2) Notable throbbing in Ajna and front of brain generally, especially with inspiring. (3) Tendency to forget what I am doing. (I am tired.) (4) Very bad concentration, but better than expected. 23rd. 10.11 a.m. Walk with Mahasatipatthana. I obtained a very clear intuition that “I breathe” was a lie. With effort regained delusion. 11.30 a.m. Entered Temple. 11,33 a.m. Pranayama. 10. 20. 30. Resulting in a good deal of pain. 11.40 a.m. Mahasatipatthana. 11.57 am. Pranaydma. 10. 20. 30. I do seem bad! My left nostril is not all it should be. 11.57 am. Left Temple. 12.30 p.m. Began Mahasatipatthana desultorily. 115 p.m. In Mahasatipatthana. Doing it very badly. Seem sleepy. 1.35 p.m. Went out for a walk feeling ill. Ill all the week. 28th. During the night began again meditation upon Ajna, and “Mantra Aum Tat Sat Aum.” 30th. Decide to do tests on old principle to see how I really stand. to perceive the (pleasant and unpleasant) sensation of a raising of the right foot” being the final form. The Buddha himself said that if a man practises Mahasatipatthana honestly and intelligently a result is certain. 179